Page 387 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

19 – THE PYREXIC CAT 379

Diagnosis of FIV infection is by demonstration of Demonstration of Cryptococcus antigen in serum,
FIV-specific antibody titers via ELISA, IFA or urine or CSF is also diagnostic.
Western blot.
Virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction for virus NON-SUPPURATIVE
detection is available at some research facilities. MENINGOENCEPHALITIS**
Cats infected with FIV can be co-infected with FeLV.
Classical signs
● Seizures.
CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS
(CRYPTOCOCCOSIS)** ● Focal or multifocal neurologic signs.
● Fever.
● Lethargy.
Classical signs
● Inappetence.
● Sneezing.
● Stertorous breathing. See main reference on page 803 for details (The Cat
● Chronic nasal discharge. With Seizures, Circling and/or Changed Behavior).
● Facial deformity.
● Low-grade fever. Clinical signs
● Regional lymphadenopathy.
● Neurologic signs: ataxia, seizures, Occurs in cats of all ages, with and without outdoor
blindness. access.
● Skin form: ulcerated lesions.
Progressive clinical signs occur over a period of 1–4
weeks.
See main reference on page 25 for details (The Cat
With Signs of Chronic Nasal Disease). Recurrent seizures may be the only clinical sign,
while other cats exhibit multifocal neurologic abnor-
Clinical signs malities including:
● Progressive spinal cord signs.
Chronic nasal discharge can be unilateral or bilateral
● Vestibular signs.
and is generally serosanguineous. Sneezing and ster-
● Cerebellar signs.
torous breathing is often present.
● Cranial nerve signs.
Facial deformity may occur due to invasion of the
According to one study, non-supportive meningo-
surrounding bone.
encephalitis may be the most common cause of seizures
Chronic low-grade fever may be present. in cats.
Depression, anorexia and weight-loss are signs of Systemic signs, which are not present in all cats,
disseminated disease. include fever, anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea
and lymphadenopathy.
Neurologic signs occur via hematogenous spread or
invasion into the CNS through the cribiform plate but Viral or immune-mediated etiology is suspected.
are uncommon. Signs include seizures, blindness, The condition, however, does not appear to be conta-
depression and ataxia. gious to other cats.
The skin form typically produces nodules which often
ulcerate. Diagnosis
CSF tap can be very useful to rule out other causes
Diagnosis
of CNS signs, specifically toxoplasmosis and FIP;
Diagnosis is by demonstration of narrow-based bud- CSF analysis reveals a normal or mild protein eleva-
ding yeast with a very thick capsule from affected tis- tion (typically < 1 g/L) and/or an increased white cell
sue or by culture of affected tissue or CSF. count (< 50 cells/μl).